Posted August 30, 2022
The bottom line of that analysis is although … a contested issue, my own view is the better view of the Convention’s obligation, in particular Article 24, is that Australia needs to move progressively over some time to have [a] transformed system with inclusive education, which does not, as a matter of principle, include special schools as a long-term separate form of education. And I think that is also a position taken by the CRPD Committee.”
Posted July 12, 2022
The National Disability Advocacy Framework is a shared commitment to disability advocacy between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to ensure there is access to advocacy services for all people with disabilities nation-wide. However, the current state of play is that advocacy – a key safeguard – is not currently assured.
Posted November 5, 2021
VCOSS welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Review of the Disability Act 2006 (Vic). It is important that the new Act is robust and comprehensive in promoting and protecting the rights of all Victorians with disability. This submission focuses on mechanisms that promote inclusion (the State Disability Plan, disability action plans and the Victorian Disability Advisory Council), and safeguards and rights protections (including Community Visitors, residential rights and limits to restrictive practices).
Posted March 12, 2021
This is the disability sector’s statement on the Australian Government’s planned reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). – People with disability, their families and the organisations that represent them are all worried about changes the Australian Government wants to make to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We want the scheme to be consistent and fair. But we also want to make sure that people with disability get the support they need. There are too many unanswered questions and concerns for this proposal to continue in its current form. We therefore request…
Posted March 12, 2021
This Issues Paper is specifically prompted by concerns that the NDIA’s proposed model of mandatory independent assessments will reinforce the growing inequalities in the Scheme. Instead of improving access and reducing out-of-pocket expenses, independent assessments will present another hurdle for people with disability. This hurdle will be higher and harder for people who experience multiple and intersecting forms of disadvantage, and will add another layer of stress, complexity and anguish for people with disability seeking support.
Posted March 11, 2021
The signatory organisations urge the National Disability Insurance Agency to commit to halting the currently proposed reforms and rebuilding them with an end-to-end process directly involving people with disability, in line with Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability and the objects and principles of the NDIS Act itself.
Posted December 1, 2020
Yet, the NDIA have already decided that independent assessments will go ahead and that they will be mandatory. They have not done the research or evaluation necessary to prove that independent assessments will work for people with intellectual disability, particularly for people with multiple disabilities and people with complex support needs. The NDIA have not answered our questions about how independent assessments will be used to determine an individual’s support needs.
Posted September 18, 2020
This submission is in response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) discussion paper on Support Coordination.
The quality of NDS plans, including the provision of Support Coordination funding, largely depends on people’s capacity to learn about and understand the system and to self-advocate. People experiencing multiple and intersecting forms of disadvantage and isolation face greater challenges at every stage of the NDIS journey, from finding out how it works to accessing the Scheme, developing a plan and connecting to services.
